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Asset Retirement Obligations
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
The company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (ARO) as an asset and liability when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset and the liability can be reasonably estimated. The legal obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional, even though uncertainty may exist about the timing and/or method of settlement that may be beyond the company’s control. This uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement is factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate fair value. Recognition of the ARO includes: (1) the present value of a liability and offsetting asset, (2) the subsequent accretion of that liability and depreciation of the asset, and (3) the periodic review of the ARO liability estimates and discount rates.
AROs are primarily recorded for the company’s crude oil and natural gas producing assets. No significant AROs associated with any legal obligations to retire downstream long-lived assets have been recognized, as indeterminate settlement dates for the asset retirements prevent estimation of the fair value of the associated ARO. The company performs periodic reviews of its downstream long-lived assets for any changes in facts and circumstances that might require recognition of a retirement obligation.
The following table indicates the changes to the company’s before-tax asset retirement obligations in 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
2017

 
 
2016

 
2015

Balance at January 1
$
14,243

 
 
$
15,642

 
$
15,053

Liabilities incurred
684

 
 
204

 
51

Liabilities settled
(1,721
)
 
 
(1,658
)
 
(981
)
Accretion expense
668

 
 
749

 
715

Revisions in estimated cash flows
340

 
 
(694
)
 
804

Balance at December 31
$
14,214

 
 
$
14,243

 
$
15,642


In the table above, the amount associated with "Revisions in estimated cash flows" in 2017 reflects increased cost estimates to abandon wells, equipment and facilities. The long-term portion of the $14,214 balance at the end of 2017 was $13,228.